Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, June 4:

A task force was formed today to curb "rampant prostitution going on in massage parlours", located mainly in and around the tourist area of Thamel in the heart of Kathmandu. The committee comprises representatives from Small and Cottage Industries Department, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Chief Administration Officer, Tourism Development Board, Sorhakhutte Police Post and Mukti Nepal, said Goma Luitel, chairperson of Mukti Nepal. She added there are 84 massage centres in Thamel area alone, 99 percent of which are allegedly involved in the flesh trade. "Around a dozen have been set up for prostitution only," she said. Luitel said that making women work in massage centres where prostitution takes place was also a kind of trafficking that must be stopped immediately.